A Michelin official has admitted the French marque is considering returning to formula one in 2011 as a tyre supplier.

A Michelin official has admitted the French marque is considering returning to formula one in 2011 as a tyre supplier.

Speculation about Michelin's return gained momentum at Sepang last weekend, where team bosses met with Bernie Ecclestone and discussed at length how to handle the departure of Bridgestone as official supplier.

Michelin left F1 after an intense tyre war with Bridgestone at the end of 2006, upset that the sport opted instead to mandate a single supplier.

Rumours in Malaysia said Michelin wants to be paid to return next year, and also favours a move from 13 to 18-inch wheel hub diameters, and would welcome a rival supplier to compete with.

A spokesman said in February that Michelin "might consider returning but there are some very clear conditions".

And in the wake of the latest reports, a representative of the Clermont Ferrand-based company told French daily Le Figaro: "We have made no decision.

"But we are closely monitoring the evolution of the regulations, knowing that we are committed to promoting the technical quality of our products and also the notion of respect for the environment," the Michelin official added.